Gloucester's Luke Narraway has been given the skipper's armband ahead of the 2011-12 Aviva Premiership season.

The No.8 stood in last season when Mike Tindall was absent on international duty and also lifted the LV= Cup when Gloucester defeated Newcastle at Franklin's Gardens. Narraway was due to lead England in the 2011 Churchill Cup but was forced to sit out the competition to undergo treatment on a back injury.

Narraway, 27, said: "To be given the role is a huge honour. I've been at the club for many years now, and in that time I have played under a number of great leaders. And in the history of the club there have been a huge number of illustrious captains. So to join those ranks is an absolute privilege.

"Very few men are handed the privilege of being club captain at a club like Gloucester, and I will give it everything I have to make sure I don't let anyone down."

Gloucester will begin their Premiership campaign on Sunday September 4 with the unenviable task of travelling to Heineken Cup runners-up Northampton Saints.